


^be (Tbancellor of l8o^pt 



BEALE 



THE CHANCELLOR 
OF EGYPT 



A DRAMATIZATION OF THE BIBLE STORY 

OF JOSEPH AND HIS BRETHREN 

IN FOUR ACTS 



WILLIAM THOMAS BEALE 




BOSTON 

Published by the Author 

1905 






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Copyright, 1905 
By William Thomas. Beale 
All rights reserved 



THE CHANCELLOR OF EGYPT 



ACT L 

Scene First. Exterior of Jacob's house near Hebron. Zareda, 
a hand-maid of Leah, sitting absent-mindedly looking 
toward the country, with vn-fplcmcnts for carding wool upon 
her knees, 

Zareda. Oh, how fair are the fields and the sky to-day, 
and how beautiful are the northern hills. Would that I 
could see beyond them the home of my mother, and my 
brothers and sisters as they used to be in the old free life 
of my childhood. {A dove alights near her.) O dove, if 
Zareda had wings like thine, how soon would she fly away 
over those hills and beyond the great river. But then I 
fear that after all I should soon fly back again unless — 
unless Benjamin were in that country, too. 

Enter Zephorah, a maid-servant coming from the Held. 

Zephorah. Well, Mistress Idler, what art thou dreaming 
of? Is it not enough that thou sittest at home while we 
work in the field, but thou must lay thy hands upon thy 
knees and dream? Thou carriest thy head high, and 
vauntest thy gentle birth among the servants of thy mas- 
ter. Gentle birth, indeed ! Thy mistress shall know, di- 
rectly, how thou art idling thy time, and thy undone work 
shall be proof against thee. 

Zareda. O, Zephorah! 

Zephorah. Oh, yes. Zephorah hath hurt thy feelings 
again, and thy mistress, as usual, will only pity thee. Con- 

I 



tinue thy dreams, Zareda, thy gentle birth doth save both 
thy hands from work and thy back from stripes. 

{Passes to the rear of the house, leaving Zareda in tears. 
Enter Leah, coming from the door of the house.) 

leah. Why, Zareda, my daughter, what aileth thee? 
Thou art in tears and thy work but half completed. Art 
thou ill? or art thou discontented with thy lot? 

Zareda. Oh no, my mistress. I am not ill, nor am I 
really discontent. I do confess to thee, my mistress, that 
I lost myself for a little while in looking at the fields and 
the sky and the northern hills, behind which are my 
mother's people. But thou and my master Jacob art ever 
kind to me, and Joseph and Benjamin are to me as 
brothers. 

Leah. Zephorah hath been chiding thee. 

Zareda. Yes, my mistress. But I pray thee lay it not 
against her. I grieve more that thou hast found my work 
unfinished, than that she hath taunted me with idleness and 
pride. Have patience with me, my mistress, and I will not 
forget myself again. 

Leah. Truly thou shouldst have been more thoughtful. 
Thy master and his sons would wear their garments 
threadbare if all the women of the household should be 
idle. There, there, dry thy tears, Zareda, and take thy 
pitcher to the well. Joseph goes from us this morning, 
and must be well refreshed before he begins his journey. 

(Zareda takes water pitcher and goes out. Jacob enters, 
coming from the Held.) 

Leah. Why, Jacob, my husband. Thou retumest early. 
Is it not well with thee? 

Jacob. Yes, Leah, all is well ; although I have walked 
faster than is my wont and the sun is warm, even now. I 
have news for thee from thy father Laban. {Handing her a 

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letter.) The messenger met me on the road. I urged him 
to come in to us and refresh himself; but he hath an im- 
portant errand which required haste and would not stop. 
{After a brief pause, while Leah reads.) Is all well in thy 
father's house? 

Leah. All is well, Jacob. My father wishes very much 
to see our younger sons, Joseph and Benjamin, whom he 
hath never seen, and begs us to arrange for them to visit 
him. 

Jacob. They shall do so some day, Leah. Now I can- 
not spare them. (Sits.) 

Leah. Joseph goes from us to-day to see his brethren. 

Jacob. Yes. He is now looking about the fields to see 
that all is well before he leaves us. We are greatly blessed 
to have so good a son. 

Leah. Yes, Jacob. And I have a strange foreboding of 
ill to him. I wish thou needest not to send him on so long 
and lonely a journey. 

Jacob. Leah, my wife. Thou needest not fear for 
Joseph. He is a good lad, and there is none more brave in 
Canaan. The Lord will protect him and bring him again 
in peace. 

Leah. I know he is both brave and good. But the way 
is long and lonely and his brothers do not feel so kindly 
toward him as they should. He is not my son, Jacob ; but 
thou knowest that my sister, when she died, charged me to 
be a mother to him. And so devoted hath he always been 
to me that I have loved him as my own. The very care I 
feel for him makes me dread what may befall him. The 
table is spread, my husband; come thou and refresh thy- 
self. 

Jacob. (Rising and going toward the door.) Thou art a 
good wife, Leah ; and thy sister's sons do well to honor 
thee. 

3 



(Both go into the house and Zareda enters, returning from 
the. well with Benjamin, ivho is carrying her water pitcher.) 

Benjamin. There, Zareda, (handing her the pitcher) 
when I am a full grown man, and thou art become a 
woman, thou shalt not carry water. 

Zareda. What shall I do, Benjamin? 

Benj. Thou shalt wear fine garments and sit in my 
house and be the greatest lady in the land. Thy servants 
shall carry water for thee, and for thy household and mine. 

Zareda. Thou must not speak thus, Benjamin; though 
thou art a gracious lad to think it of me. I am a servant 
and a stranger in thy father's house. 

Benj. My father hath also been a servant, Zareda. 
Fourteen years he served his uncle Laban before he 
obtained his heart's desire, my mother and his freedom, 
both in one. And if thou art a stranger, I and my father's 
family are strangers in a strange land. Wouldst thou not 
let me care for thee, Zareda? 

Zareda. / would care for thee, always, Benjamin ; and be 
happy if I might always serve thee. 

Enter Joseph unobserved. 
Benj. I tell thee thou shalt be no more a servant, but be 
served thyself. If need be, I myself will be a hired servant 
to my father until I have bought thy freedom, and am free 
to take thee to my house. 

(Voice calling "Zareda!") 
Zareda. Thy mother calleth for me. I must go quickly. 
I thank thee for thy kindness, Benjamin. 

(Benjamin looks after her as she goes to the house.) 
Joseph. So, my brother, thou hast become a captive to 
the Chaldeans without a struggle; and art planning by a 
struggle to obtain thy freedom. 

4 



Benj. (With spirit.) I care not that thou heardst me, 
Joseph, though I spoke not for thine ears, I am coming 
to be a man, and know my mind. I do not ask for favors. 
Though Zareda is now a servant, I love her ; and if she will 
let me, I will some day make her free and take her for my 
wife; and I am not ashamed to let the whole house of Israel 
know of it, 

Jos. (Striking Benjamin upon the shoulder and taking his 
hand.) Thou speakest like a true son of thy father, Ben- 
jamin, and I am proud of thee, I was an unwilling listener, 
and thy secret is safe with me. 

Thou must be a man, Benjamin. I go away to-day to 
visit our brethren, and it may be many days before I re- 
turn. Thou art left alone. Be thou to our father as eleven 
sons. Look well to the fields and to the creatures, and see 
that nothing lack, and none suffer. Deal thou very kindly 
with our mother, Leah. Remember she hath nourished 
thee from thine infancy when thine own mother died; and 
thou must make her know her care hath been gratefully 
remembered. 

Benj. I am sorry thou must go, my brother. I will do 
as thou hast said. And though thy journey be a long one, 
I hope thou shalt not find cause for regret in me when we 
meet again. 

Enter Jacob, coming from door. 

Jacob. Well, my sons, thou givest me pleasure to see 
thee thus together. Joseph, my well beloved, and Ben- 
jamin, the son of my old age, thou art to me a comfort in 
thy mother's stead. May Jehovah bless thee, and make 
thee men of honor ; and some day cause thy family to call 
thee blessed. Thy mother, Leah, awaits thee, Joseph, to re- 
fresh thy spirits and gird thee for thy journey. 

Jos. Jehovah bless thee also, my father, and comfort 

5 



thee in thy sons. Come, Benjamin, thou too must refresh 
thyself, for thou shalt accompany me an hour's journey on 
the way to Shechem. 

{Go into the house.) 

Jacob. {Looking after them.) How good hath the Lord 
been to His servant to give him such sons. Many evils 
have compassed me about in my lifetime, but Jehovah hath 
still been gracious unto me. Would that Rebecca might 
know, in her paradise, that her sons are growing to be men 
of honor, as plants grown up in their youth. 

{A sound of quarrelling, and a Canaanite comes fleeing to 
Jacob for protection, servants of Jacob pursuing him with 
clubs and staves.) 

Jacob. Stop ! Abinadab, put down thy weapon. Enoch, 
withhold thy angry speech. What meaneth all this turmoil 
and disputing? 

Abinadab. This dog of a Canaanite will not cease tak- 
ing water for his cattle from thy well. Seven days now 
have we forbidden and threatened him ; and for all that he 
hath come again this morning. 

Canaanite. I pray thee hear me, Jacob. I am a poor 
man and have but one creature that supplieth milk and 
butter for my children. Thou knowest how dry the coun- 
try hath become, and I have no place to find water for her. 
I came and besought thy servants to give me a Httle water, 
not for myself but for my thirsty creature, that my children 
might have food ; and they became angry and set upon me. 

Jacob. What is thy name, and where dwellest thou? 

Canaanite. My name is Amelek. I dwell with my fam- 
ily in a tent, just outside the wall of Hebron, and spend my 
days at labor in the city. 

Jacob. Abinadab, hath this stranger spoken truly? 

6 



Abinadab. I know nothing of him, my lord, except that 
he is a Canaanite and doth bring a scrawny creature to 
pollute the water we draw for our own kine. 

Jacob. Shame upon thee, Abinadab; and thou servants 
of Israel, may Jehovah forgive this thy sin. Thy master 
was once a servant and a wanderer in the land of Canaan, 
seeking rest and food; and the Lord saw him, and dealt 
graciously with him. Amelek, go thou in peace. Thou 
shalt draw water unmolested when thou wilt; and if thou 
lackest for thyself or thy children, come thou to the house 
of Israel, and as the Lord hath blessed me, thy need shall 
be supplied. 

Amelek. I thank thee, my lord Jacob. May thy God 
bless thee and multiply thy seed in the earth. 

Jacob. (Raising his hand.) Peace be with thee. 

Enter Joseph (prepared for his journey), Benjamin and 
Leah, and all the men and women servants gather to see him 
off. 

Joseph. (To Zareda.) Fare thee well, Zareda. Be thou a 
good girl. See that thy pitcher is always full. May the 
tongue of Zephorah not disquiet thee, and be thou kind to 
Benjamin, (To Leah) Leah, my mother, fare thee well. 

Leah. O Joseph, I dread to see thee go. I have sent 
thee on many an errand, and seen thee take many a jour- 
ney. But I have strange misgivings. The way thou goest 
is lonely, and thou art not always among thy friends. 
Thou wast ever the light of thy mother's eyes as thou hast 
been of mine, and I cannot see an evil befall thee. Have 
a care for thyself, Joseph, and hasten thy journey every 
moment until thou return. 

Jos. (Embracing her.) Thou art a true mother, Leah, 
as thou hast ever been ; and Jehovah knoweth that I love 
thee. Thy tender heart doth prompt thy fears, but they 

T 



are vain. By sunset I shall be at Kadesh, and in the early 
morning shall renew my journey. The road is sometimes 
lonely; but I shall walk in the day, and be on my guard. 
At noon I will rest beneath the shade, and at night find 
lodging at some tent or cottage off the beaten way. Best 
of all the Lord shall be with me, to direct my steps and 
preserve me from all danger; and I promise thee, my 
mother, I shall again see thy face in peace. {To Jacob) 
Fare thee well, my father. Thou art a man, and hast been 
on many a lonely road. Surely thou hast no fear for me. 

Jacob. I fear not for the road thou goest, my son; nor 
for any harm to thee by strangers. Only be thou discreet 
among thy brethren ; for thou knowest they have been cold 
toward thee of late. Take them my presents and my mes- 
sage. See how they prosper and bring me early word. One 
thing I counsel thee, my son. Say thou nought again be- 
fore them of thy dreams. If the Lord hath spoken to thee 
by them, keep thou thine own counsel, and he shall bring 
it to pass. But speak not of it to thy brethren, lest they 
more dislike thee. 

Jos. I will be ever mindful of what thou sayest. And 
whatever come, know that in his heart thy son doth honor 
thee. Bless me, my father. {Kneeling.) 

Jacob. The Lord bless thee, my son ; bless thy down- 
sitting and thine up-rising, thy going out and thy coming 
in ; the Lord preserve thee in all thy wanderings, deliver 
thee from all evil, and make thee ride upon the high places 
of the earth. Amen. 

(Joseph arises, and he and Benjamin go out in silence, all 
looking after them. Just before passing out of sight they turn, 
and Joseph ivaves his hand, and calls back, "Fare thee well.") 

Curtain. 
8 



Scene Second. A Held near Dothan. Joseph's brothers, except 
Reuben and Simeon (Levi, Judah, Issachar, Dan, Naphtali, 
Gad and Asher), playing at quoits in front of their tent. 
Naphtali is keeping the count. As curtain rises Levi throws. 

Naphtali. (Watching quoits fall, and counting.) Ten. 
Three. Five. Eight. Well done, my brother. Thine, 
Judah. 

(Judah throivs and Naphtali counts.) Two. Six. Three. 
Eight. 

Judah. Not so bad, Issachar. We still lead by six. 

(Gad throws, Naphtali counts.) 

Naphtali. Two. Five. Two. Two again. What aileth 
thee, Issachar? Thou art slow this morning. 

Issachar. Canst thou do better? 

Naphtali. Better? Though thou shouldst do thy best 
at any time, I could out-throw thee. 

Issachar. What wilt thou wager? 

Naph. Six pieces. 

Issachar. Barest thou say ten? 

Naph. Ten. 

Issachar. Done. Judah, hold thou the coin. (Handing 
him the pieces. Naphtali also counts from his wallet and 
hands to Judah, taking his place. Issachar continues :) Now, 
my lord Naphtali, thou hast challenged ; throw thou first. 

Naph. First then, I care not. (Throws and Judah 
counts.) 

Judah. Five. Seven. Nine. Three. (Issachar throws, 
Judah counts.) Eight. Ten. Seven. Eight. 

(general laughter and shouts of "Bravo ! Issachar.") 

Judah. Naphtali, thou art fairly beaten. Here is thy 
money, Issachar. Now let the game go forward. 

9 



Enter Reuben and Simeon. 

Reuben. Brethren ! Yonder on the hillside is a traveler, 
as though in search of some one. Look thou. It seems 
like our brother Joseph. 

(All look in direction indicated.) 

Judah. As I live, it is our father's favorite. 

Zebulun. Thou sayest rightly, Judah. Seest thou not 
his coat, Issachar? There is not another like it in all the 
land of Canaan. 

Issachar. I see it now. It is indeed our young dreamer. 
He hath doubtless had another vision and hath come to tell 
us again that he will yet lord it over us. Heardest thou his 
dreams, Naphtali? 

Naphtali. I remember not the dreams ; but I know they 
pointed to his becoming something great, and ourselves 
doing him reverence. 

Issachar. Harken, brethren. Let me be Joseph for a 
moment. I will rehearse these wonderful visions. (Grand- 
iloquently) "Hear, I pray you, this dream which I have 
dreamed : For, behold, we were binding sheaves in the 
field, and, lo, my sheaf arose and also stood upright ; and, 
behold, your sheaves stood round about, and made obei- 
sance to my sheaf." (Laughter and jeers.) "I have dreamed 
another dream, and, behold, the sun, moon and eleven stars 
made obeisance to me." (More derisive laughter.) Even 
our poor deluded father could not listen quietly to such 
bold eflfrontery. "What is this dream," saith he, "that thou 
hast dreamed? Shall I and thy mother and thy brethren 
indeed come to bow down ourselves to thee to the earth?" 

Judah. And yet I verily believe the foolish old man 
doth partly credit Joseph's high pretensions. His prefer- 
ence for him among us all hath overcome his judgment. 

Zebulun. What if it hath? It is our own fault. My 

lo 



judgment is we should long ago have taken this matter 
into our own hands, and rid ourselves of his insolence. 

Jndah. Well said, Zebulun. Canst thou keep a secret? 

Zebultin. Yes, if it concerneth this dreamer. 

Jndah. Well, then, say ye only that our father shall not 
know it, and I will make way with him, or ever he have a 
chance to taunt us again with his superiority. Then we 
shall see what will become of his pretentious dreams. 

Zebulun. But how shall we meet our father, if we thus 
consent? What shall we say to him when Joseph cometh 
not again ? 

Asher. I have it, brethren. We will take a kid from the 
herd and kill it, dip his coat in the blood, and send it to 
our father, saying, This have we found. Know thou 
whether it be thy son's coat or no. And he shall say, "It 
is my son's coat — an evil beast hath devoured him." 

All. Good ! Away with this dreamer. 

Reuben. Thou speakest not well, Judah, For though I 
hate him as thou dost, he is still our brother. Let not his 
blood be upon thy hands, nor ours. Rememberest thou 
the old well yonder in the wilderness, wherein we found no 
water? Let us cast him into it, cover a stone over the 
mouth of the pit, and leave him. So, when we meet our 
father, we shall, in very truth, know nothing of his death. 

Judah. Well spoken. I swear to thee, Reuben, thou 
hast rid me of a most disagreeable duty. Here he comes. 
Let us make no parley. Or ever he shall speak with us I 
will seize him. Zebulun and Asher, do ye strip his coat 
from off him. Reuben and myself will throw him in the 
pit. Let no man's heart fail him. 

Gad. {Taking a scarf from his waist.) Whilst thou art 
stripping him, I will bind this scarf upon his mouth. I can- 
not endure to hear him cry for pity. 

Judah. Sh . He cometh. 



Enter Joseph. 

Jos. Hail, my brethren. I have had a long search for 
thee. 

Judah. But thou hast found us at last, my lord Joseph ; 
and we all bow in the dust before thee. (Bowing low.) 

(Rushes upon him, holds his hands behind him. Gad binds 
the sash across his mouth; Zebulun and Asher strip off his coat 
and Judah and Reuben take him out, all folloiving to the end 
of vieiv-point and then returning to center.) 

Zebulun. No better piece of work hath been done this 
day. (Looking up.) Brethren, the sun is overhead ; let us 
break our fast ; we have plucked this thorn from our flesh 
and can now eat our bread in peace. Asher, Naphtali, 
bring thou water, and we will have all things ready against 
Judah's return. Reuben goeth to the hill again to finish 
out his watch. He will eat there. 

(They spread a cloth upon the ground and bring food from 
the tent.) 

Enter Judah, hurriedly. 

Judah. Brethren, by a fortunate circumstance, a happy 
thought hath come to me. As I was returning from the 
wilderness where we had safely disposed of our dreamer, I 
saw a company of merchantmen, a caravan with camels 
laden as if going down to Egypt. Of what profit is it, said 
I to myself, that we let our brother perish in the pit? These 
men would gladly purchase him for a slave ; for well they 
know that such a likely lad would bring them good fortune 
in any Egyptian market. We shall make something by it, 
and we shall be as well rid of our dreamer and his dreams 
as if we had ourselves made way with him ; yet shall we not 
in any wise be chargeable with his death. 

12 



All. Good on thy head, Judah ! 

Judah. I beckoned to them, and made them understand 
I had a matter with them. Two men have left the caravan 
and are coming to us across the fields. In the meantime 
I have sent Asher and Naphtali, whom I met going for 
water, to lift Joseph from the pit and bring him hither. 

Enter tzvo Ishmaelites, Magdiel mid Husham. 

Magdiel. Hail! shepherds; hast thou an errand with 
us? 

Judah. Art thou from the caravan? 

Hagdiel. Yes. We came from Midian, and are jour- 
neying to Egypt, laden with spicery, balm and myrrh. 
Thou art sprung from Abraham. 

Judah. Thou sayest rightly. How knowest thou our 
ancestry? 

Magdiel. Thy speech and thy countenance betrayeth 
thee. We also are of the seed of Abraham, and so should 
claim some kinship. 

Judah. How sayest thou so? 

Magdiel. We are Ishmaelites ; descended from thy great 
progenitor by Hagar, Sarah's handmaid, as thou art by 
Sarah, Abraham's wife. My name is Magdiel, and this, my 
kinsman, Husham. 

Judah. I am Judah, and these, my brethren, all sons of 
Israel, third from our common ancestor, Abraham. We 
make thee most welcome. Wilt thou not eat with us? 

Magdiel. Delay us not, I pray thee. The day is failing, 
and we must be at Shechem by evening. What wouldst 
thou with us? 

Enter Asher and Naphtali zvith Joseph between them. 

Judah. We have here a young man who hath followed 
us now since the last full moon. He seems to have no kins- 

13 



folk nor habitation, but seeks shelter in our tents. He is 
of no use to us, but only devoureth our bread, which we 
give to him from pity, though often it is scant even with 
us. Thou goest to Egypt. Take him with thee, and 
though thou pay us what is right, thou shall also sell him 
with large profit to thyself. 

Magdiel. By Ishmael's shade, he doth seem a likely lad, 
if he were cleaned and clad. What dost thou ask for him? 

Joseph. I pray thee, hear me, sirs. These men have no 
right to sell me to thee for any price. They are deceiving 
thee. I am their brother, Joseph, their own father's son. 

(Shouts of derisive laughter.) 

Judah. Hear him not. His head is turned a little. He 
hath been so since first he came to us. But he is harmless 
and evidently hath been gently born. 

(Laughter.) 

Magdiel. We will give ten pieces for him. 

Joseph. I tell thee, sirs, they have no right to sell me. 
My father, Israel, hath twelve sons. Nine of them thou 
seest here. Reuben, the eldest, watches in the fields ; I 
am Joseph, the eleventh ; my brother Benjamin, the young- 
est, abideth with his father. 

(More derisive laughter.) 

Jos. May God forgive them ; they know not what they 
do. 

Judah. Thou seest he is a bright lad, and feigneth well. 
Thou offerest too little. We must have thirty pieces. 

(It begins to grow lowery and distant thunder is heard) 

Magdiel. Too much! Why hast thou called us from 
our company for such a bargain? We could hardly sell 

14 



him for thirty pieces, even after taking him so long a 
journey. 

(Thunder.) 

Judah. Say twenty-four! 

miagdiel. (Impatiently.) Too high ! We may as well 
take our departure. What sayest thou, Husham? 

Husham. Sixteen ; and be thou quick to answer, for we 
must overtake our caravan before yonder storm bursts 
upon us. 

Judah. There are ten of us. We should have two for 
each, to pay us for the care and trouble we have taken to 
preserve his skin whole until so good a fortune should be- 
fall him. Come, kinsmen, serve us fairly. 

(Thunder, and growing darker.) 

Magdiel. Well, here is thy silver. Bind the fellow, and 
let us depart quickly. 

Joseph. (Shrinking from Judah and appealing to the 
Ishmaelites.) I pray thee, bind me not. Though they have 
deceived thee, thou hast bought me fairly, and I will go 
with thee without restraint. I never yet betrayed my trust 
nor forfeited my word. 

(Grows dark, and comes on to rain. Thunder and lightning 
increase.) 

Joseph. Sons of Jacob, the Lord shall hold you to ac- 
count for what ye have done this day. I came to you 
with messages of peace, and in your evil hearts ye sought 
to kill me; but the Lord interfered for me, and turned aside 
your wicked purpose. Tlien you threw me in the pit to die 
of hunger ; and there in the darkness, where ye thought I 
should have sobbed out my life, with none to hear or save, 
I cried to the God of our fathers, and he heard me. The 

15 



angel of Jehovah stood beside me, and cheered me with the 
promise of deliverance. (A heavy peal of thunder, at which 
the brothers wince.) Well may ye shrink from the voice of 
Him who speaketh in the thunder. You have betrayed the 
innocent, and sold for silver your own flesh and blood ; and 
the Lord will require it of you. (Thunder.) I have not 
asked for pity, for well I know that in your stubborn hearts 
there is no pity for him ye hate. I have passed beyond 
your power to pity or to harm. My appeal is to the God 
of Israel, by whose name I swear ye have no cause to hate 
me. You have thought by this base treachery to thwart 
the purpose of the Almighty, and bring to nought my 
dreams. But in the name of the great Jehovah I tell thee 
thou shalt yet come to him whom this day thou hast cast 
out, and beg for bread to keep your souls alive. (Thunder.) 
Yea, upon thy bended knees, and with your faces in the 
dust, shalt thou yet plead for pity to him whom now thou 
sellest into bondage. Fare thee well ! 

(Thunder, lightning and rain, as Joseph goes out with lllag- 
diel and Husham, and curtain falls.) 

(End of Act I.) 



ACT II. 

Scene First. Roo)n of the captain of the guard, in a fortress 
in Heliopolis, showing grating door, center, opening into the 
prison. Joseph and Captain discovered as curtain rises. 

Captain. Well, Joseph, all is well, I dare say, with the 
prisoners this morning? 

Joseph. All is well, my lord. The fortress was quiet 
through the night. There was no attempt at tumult, and 
all the prisoners seem content, save one. 

i6 



Capt. Thou answerest as I had expected of thee. "All 
is well." Joseph, I like thee; I deny it not. A hundred 
times now have I come and gone, and thou art always here, 
and always ready with thy answer, "All is well." And so 
I find it. And now I make no doubt thou sayest truly, "All 
save one." Who is this one whom thou exceptest, when 
thou sayest "All save one"? 

Jos. Malus, the Lybian, in the inner ward. 

Capt. Malus? He who made the assault upon me in 
the court-yard not long since? 

Jos. The same, my lord. 

Capt. A most pestilent fellow. And no wonder he is ill- 
content, for news hath come to him that he must hang 
before the moon again fulls twice. I am sorry for it ; but 
there is no remedy. The man not only is a murderer, but 
he hath it in his heart to kill again. I have not forgotten, 
Joseph, that but for thy loyalty and courage my blood 
should have stained his hands, as the intent to take a life 
that never did him anything but kindness now stains his 
heart. 

Right glad I am, however, that all save one seem full 
content ; for we are to have distinguished visitors to-day. 
Potiphera, the great priest and prophet of the Sun, comes 
down from the temple to make his visit to our fortress, and 
prince Omrah does the honors for the royal household. 
{Trumpet.) There ! they are now passing the guard, and 
will be with us directly. Keep thou here, Joseph, thou art 
quite welcome to remain. The good priest always asks to 
speak with thee, and the prince hath already heard of thy 
wisdom and thine honorable conduct. 

Enter Potiphera, Omrah and Asenath, preceded and fol- 
lowed by soldiers. 

OfRcer of the Guard. Captain, the reverend father, Poti- 

17 



phera, Priest of On ; our illustrious Prince Omrah, and 
Asenath, the Daughter of the Temple. 

Capt. Thrice welcome, Prophet of the Sun. Thy 
presence here has always proved a benediction. Most 
noble prince, the fortress is thine own, and thou art always 
welcome. Daughter of the Temple, thou doest us great 
honor to bring the sunlight of thy presence to so dark a 
habitation. It is not often that so gentle a visitor doth 
gladden the eyes of our men of war and cheer the heart of 
the prisoner. 

Asenath. I thank thee, Captain. 

Potiphera. Thou art a good son, Captain, and may Ra 
bless thee. And thou hast still here thy trusted monitor. 
Joseph, again I greet thee, and hope thou art in good 
health and spirits. 

Jos. I am well, my lord, and most glad I am to share 
thy greeting. I worship not thy gods, but from my heart 
I honor thee. 

Potiphera. So thou art still the servant of Jehovah, and 
must have me know thou doest reverence to me and not 
my gods. Come, come, explain no more ; I will not mis- 
understand thee. If the worship of Jehovah makes men 
such as thou, I would that we had in Egypt more to wor- 
ship him. Captain, is there a Lybian here, condemned to 
die? 

Capt. There is, my father, and he is very sullen. 

Pot. By your leave, I would speak with him, and Prince 
Omrah will pass the gate with me. 

Capt. Most willingly. Officer of the Guard, wait thou 
without and be at ease until I call for thee. 

(Oifieer fakes his guard outside.) 

Pot. Abide thou here, my daughter; the Prince and I 
must needs go through the prison, and to scenes thou wilt 

i8 



not care to witness. Joseph, my daughter, Asenath. She 
will abide with thee till I return. 

Jos. Thou doest me great honor. Sit thou, my lady. 

(Asenath is seated. Captain of the guard opens the gate, 
and the three pass out into the prison, leaving Joseph a)ui Ase- 
nath alone.) 

Asenath. Sit thou, Joseph, I would speak with thee ! 

Jos. Knowest thou that I am a prisoner, my lady? 

As. Yes. I know that thou art a prisoner ; and I also 
know thou shouldst not be. 

Jos. How knowest thou, my lady? 

As. My father hath told me of thee. He believes thee 
an honest man, and falsely accused ; and thy former master, 
Potipher, my father's cousin, hath confessed that in his 
heart he holds thee guiltless of offence, else would thy pun- 
ishment have been far greater. 

Jos. Thy father is generous and kind ; and thou art 
generous and kind, my lady, that thou believest him. 

As. Thou surely dost not deny that his good opinion of 
thee is well deserved. 

Jos. Daughter of the Temple, I have a God, infinite and 
eternal, who knoweth the secrets of all hearts, before 
whom none can dissemble, and before whose bar of judg- 
ment all must some day come. I have no means to prove 
my innocence; but by this infinite Jehovah, whom my 
fathers worship, I swear to thee, my lady Asenath, that I 
am guiltless of anything in thought or word or deed that 
should have brought me to this prison. 

As. Joseph, I pray thee protest no more. Before thou 
didst protest thy innocence, I told thee thou shouldst not 
have been a prisoner. But had I not, I should believe thee 
now. 

19 



Jos. I thank thee, lady Asenath. Thou hast somewhat 
to say to me? 

As. My father hath told me of thy curious faith — curi- 
ous it seemed to him. And ever since he told me I have 
had a great desire to hear it from thy lips. My father wor- 
ships at the shrine of the great Ra, the Spirit of the Sun. 
From my earliest years I have been a child of the Temple, 
and so sincere has been my worship, that my father's 
people call me "Daughter of the Sun." But often in my de- 
votions, when my heart was pouring itself out before the 
altar, I have caught a vision of a greater God than Ra — 
one higher and more potent than the sun ; and yet, withal, 
so like ourselves, and easy of approach, that I have almost 
forgotten for the time that Ra was the great lord and 
patron of the temple, and have turned to worship at the 
feet of Him whose presence seemed to fill my soul with 
mingled awe and adoration. Thou art a Hebrew, Joseph? 

Jos. Yes, my lady. 

As. And is this Jehovah of whom thou speakest the 
God of thy native country and thy father's people, as Ra 
is of mine? 

Jos. He is the God of my fathers and of my people ; but 
we have no country, as thou hast. Our country is yet to 
be ; but wheresoe'er we go, in all the earth, he follows and 
protects us. 

As. Hath thy God no temple, Joseph, and no priest to 
serve him? 

Jos. Jehovah dwelleth not in temples made with hands, 
my lady Asenath. He hath set his glory far above the 
heavens, and his presence filleth the whole earth. All 
things were made by him. The very sun thy fathers wor- 
ship is but a part of his beneficent creation — the medium 
by which he giveth light and warmth to nature, even as 
the out-shining of his Spirit maketh wise the human mind, 

20 



filleth the soul of man with all pleasant things, and giveth 
strength to will and do his pleasure. 

As. But tell me, Joseph, hast thou seen Jehovah? Or 
have thy fathers seen him? 

Jos. No man can see his face and live; or, I had better 
said, no living man can see his face ; but the Angel of His 
Presence hath often appeared to my fathers, making 
known to them Jehovah's will. 

As. My father hath told me thou camest from a far 
country, and not of thine own choice. 

Jos. Thou sayest right, my lady. 

As. Whence camest thou, Joseph? and where are thy 
people? 

Jos. I have told thee, lady Asenath, that as yet we have 
no country; but a promised land. My father's people came 
from Chaldea, beyond the great river, at the call of Je- 
hovah. They dwell in Canaan, which the Lord hath prom- 
ised they shall some day hold in full possession. 

As. And doth thy father live? 

Jos. God knoweth, my lady. I came away when hardly 
yet a man; and such hath been my fortune among thy 
people, that I could not go to seek my father, nor hath any 
tidings of my people come to me. 

As. I hope my questioning doth not trouble thee, 
Joseph. I ask not from idle curiosity. Thy honest speech 
hath made me bold to talk with thee, and my desire to 
learn about thy God hath led me also to seek a knowledge 
of thy people. Wouldst thou care to tell me thy father's 
name? 

Jos. I like thy questioning, my lady. I should be a 
poor servant of Jehovah if I did not gladly satisfy thy de- 
sire for knowledge of him ; and I should be unworthy of 
my fathers if I were ashamed to tell thee of them. My 
father's father called him Jacob, but once, in an hour of 

21 



great trial, the angel of Jehovah met him on a journey and 
changed his name to Israel, which in the language of my 
people, means a Prince of God. A prince of God, then, 
my father liveth if he live ; or, if he doth no longer live 
on earth, a prince of God he liveth still in paradise. 

As. But tell me, Joseph, doth Jehovah hear thee when 
thou prayest to him in a strange land ; and shalt thou not 
return to inherit in the country he hath promised to thy 
people? 

Jos. No land is strange to Jehovah, my lady Asenath ; 
and no one who pra3^eth to Him can really be a stranger 
in any land. He is King of kings and Lord of lords. 
Some day, I doubt not, the Lord shall deliver me from this 
prison and give me what is mine. 

As. Thou speakest like a true son of thy God, — frankly 
and brave. But tell me again, Joseph, for thou hast said 
that he is Lord of all countries, could a daughter of the 
temple find favor with Jehovah? 

Jos. Yes, my lady. 

As. Then surely he will hear thee, Joseph, if thou sayest 
ought to him for me. Wilt thou not ask him to give me 
a place among those who serve him? 

Jos. And if he hear me, wilt thou confess and serve him 
without fear or shame? I knozv thou wilt, my lady. 

(Joseph raises his hand and Asenath sinks upon her knees.) 

O, God of Israel, thou who hast in every land them that 
seek thee with a pure desire, open thou the understanding 
of this thy daughter, that she may behold thee more per- 
fectly, and vouchsafe to her a place among the people 
thou hast chosen ; and may she and all her father's people 
know that thou art God of all Gods, and that Jehovah 
keepeth trust with them that fear him, until thou fill the 
whole earth with thy glory. Amen. 

22 



As. (Rising.) I thank thee, Joseph. 

(Sound of marching, and return of party through the gate, 
bringing the chief butler and chief baker with them.) 

Potiphera. (To captain of the guard.) I am sorry to leave 
him thus ; sullen and impenitent. But it is his own fault, 
and he alone must bear it. The hour is already late, and 
the offerings are waiting at the temple. Goest thou, also, 
Prince? 

Prince. I will accompany thee outside the fortress. 
The guard, if thou wilt, Captain. 

(Captain gives signal, and guard comes in when Omrah has 
said, "Permit me. Daughter of the Temple.") 

Pot. Pardon, my daughter, I have kept thee long. 

As. Say not, "my pardon," father. It hath not seemed 
long to wait, and thou but didst thy duty to the prisoners. 

Pot. So? Thou hast not found it long? Thou speakest 
always like the sweet daughter that thou art. Sayest not 
so. Prince Omrah? 

Prince. It is more fitting that thou sayest it, good 
father ; but since thou askest me, I will confess thou speak- 
est as I think. Permit me. Daughter of the Temple. (Kiss- 
ing her hand.) 

Pot. Fare thee well, Joseph ; I thank thee for my 
daughter's keeping. 

Jos. Fare thee well, good priest. Thy daughter hath 
not burdened me, I do assure thee. The Lord be with 
thee, and with my lady Asenath. 

Asenath. And with thee, Joseph. 

Prince. (To captain.) Comest thou not with us, cap- 
tain? 

Capt. If thou wilt tarry but a moment. Prince, I shall 
do myself the honor to see thee safely past the outer gate. 

23 



{To Joseph.) Joseph, I leave with thee these two men, who 
have each a matter of which they would speak with thee. 
They have pledged their honor to return to proper custody 
when they have finished with thee. I go for a little while, 
and thou art left in charge. Fare thee well. 

{Ex. party t leaving Joseph with chief butler and chief baker.) 

Jos. {To butler and baker.) A noble man, the good 
priest of On. I would he were a follower of Jehovah. Sar- 
nak, thou hast a matter of which thou wouldst speak to 
me. And thou, too, Hophnes, thou lookest sad. I hope 
there hath no ill report come to thee. 

Hophnes. {The butler.) Joseph, we have both come on 
the same errand. As thou knowest, we have both served 
the king ; Sarnak, as chief of his bakers ; I, his chief but- 
ler; but taking offence at what he thought misconduct, 
and being wroth with us, he put us in ward in this prison. 
Last night we each dreamed a dream. Our dreams seem 
to us to have a meaning, some portent of good or ill, but 
we have found no one who can interpret them. Thou hast 
repute for wisdom, and we have come to thee. 

Jos. Interpretations belong to God, Hophnes ; tell me 
thy dream. 

Hoph. In my dream, behold! a vine was before me; 
and in the vine were three branches : and it was as though 
it budded, and her blossoms shot forth ; and the clusters 
thereof brought forth ripe grapes. And Pharaoh's cup 
was ill my hand ; and I took the grapes, and pressed them 
into Pharaoh's cup, and I gave the cup into Pharaoh's 
hand. 

Jos. The dream is good. The three branches are three 
days : within three days shall Pharaoh lift up thine head, 
and restore thee to thy place : and thou shalt deliver the 

24 



cup into his hand, after the former manner when thou wast 
his butler. 

Hoph. Thou explainest well, Joseph. I hope it may be 
as thou sayest. 

Jos. Saidst I not that the interpretation is of God? I 
speak not mine own wisdom. 

Hoph. (Taking Joseph's hand.) Joseph, may thy God 
bless thee. Thou heardst the captain say I had pledged 
mine honor to return to proper custody. I go now to re- 
deem my pledge. A thousand times I thank thee. Fare 
thee well. 

(Turns to go back to the inner prison.) 

Jos. (Calling after him.) Hophnes ! 

Hoph. (Turning.) Yes, Joseph. 

Jos. Think on me when it shall be well with thee, and 
show kindness, I pray thee, unto me, and make mention of 
me unto Pharaoh, and bring me out of this prison. 

Hoph. Most gladly do I promise thee. Fare thee well. 

Jos. Sarnak, thou also art disquieted. Let me hear thy 
dream. 

Sarnak. I also was in my dream, and behold I had three 
white baskets on my head; and in the upper basket there 
was all manner of bake-meats for Pharaoh, and the birds 
did eat them out of the basket upon my head. 

Jos. (After a little thought) Wilt thou know what thy 
dream doth signify? 

Sarnak. Hoping thy wisdom might divine its meaning, 
I have come to thee. 

Jos. Not my wisdom, Sarnak. Interpretations are of 
God. And unless this were of God, I would not tell it thee ; 
for it bodes thee ill. 

Sarnak. Tell it me, Joseph. 

25 



Jos. The three baskets thou carriedst on thy head are 
three days ; yet within three days shall Pharaoh lift up thy 
head from off thee, and shall hang thee on a tree ; and the 
birds shall eat thy flesh from ofT thee. 

Sarnak. Say not so, Joseph. Canst thou find no other 
meaning? 

Jos. God hath told thee the meaning of thy dream. It 
is not in man to give thee any other. 

Sarnak. Then thou must save me, Joseph. 

Jos. Thou shouldst have saved thyself from thy evil 
deeds, which have brought this judgment upon thee. Yet 
even now most gladly would I help thee if I could. 

Sarnak. Thou art master here. 

Jos. At this moment, yes, until the Captain returns. 

Sarnak. Open thou the door for me, Joseph. I will ar- 
ray myself in yonder garment and I make no doubt I shall 
pass the guards in safety. Come, Joseph, thou hast pity for 
me. 

Jos. Thou sayest that I am sorry for thee. I have pity, 
but I also have honor. I have never yet betrayed my trust, 
and I cannot do it now. Keep thy pledge with the captain, 
Sarnak. Go back to thy place, repent thee heartily of thy 
faults, and though thou diest, thou shalt not die unfor- 
given. 

Sarnak. (Angrily.) Joseph! I ask not thy advice. Thou 
hast the keys that open yonder doors. If thou art fearful 
to befriend a fellow prisoner I will demand it of thee. Give 
them to me instantly or I will take thy life. 

Jos. Life or death thou shalt not have them. 

Sarnak. Then die ! (Striking Joseph upon the head with 
a sand-bag drawn from his bosom. Joseph clutches Sarnak to 
save himself in falling and blows his whistle. Guards rush in, 
seise Sarnak. Prisoners crozvd around the grating. Captain 
of the guard rushes in.) 

26 



Capt. Officer of the guard, what is this uproar? 

Officer. This prisoner hath committed murder and was 
trying to escape. 

Capt. Take him to the dungeon. (As they take him 
out, he cries, Oh, my God! zvhat have I done?) 

Capt. (Raises Joseph, zvho is in a swoon, but recovers.) 
Joseph, Joseph, tell me, dost thou live? 

Jos. (Wildly.) Help ! help ! the guard ! Why do they 
not come. I tell thee, Sarnak, though thou kill me, thou 
shalt not have the keys. 

Capt. Joseph ! It is not Sarnak that holdest thee. It 
is thy friend, the captain. The guard hath come, Joseph. 
Sarnak, the chief butler, is safe in the dungeon, and all is 
well. 

(Joseph, coming to himself, looks at the captain, recognises 
him, throzvs his arms about his neck.) 

Jos. Captain! Is the prison safe? 
Capt. Yes, Joseph. It is safe, and thou art again 
among thy friends, 
Jos. (Raising his hand.) The Lord be praised ! 

Curtain. 

Scene Second. Room in Pharaoh's Palace. Princess Ardah 

lying on a sofa, a slave moving large feather fan. Attend- 
ant arranging lotus blossoms on the table. 

Ardah. Are they not beautiful, Nedra? They are fresh 
from the lake of Menzaleh, beyond the temple of the Sun. 
They came by the runner who bore the message to Ase- 
nath, the Daughter of the Temple. 

Nedra. They are sweet and beautiful, my princess ; and 
of such delightful odor, — hast thou noticed it? 

27 



Ardah. Yes, Nedra. It is indeed delightful. {To slave.) 
Menelek, thou mayest retire ; the air is comfortable, and I 
do believe the motion of thy fan doth keep from me the 
fragrance of the lotus. 

Exit slave. 

Nedra. Dost like my arrangement, princess? 
Ardah. Yes, Nedra. Thou hast much skill and sense of 
beauty. {Bell rings.) See thou the cause of that alarm. 

(Nedra goes to door, and returns.) 

Nedra. It is Lady Asenath, my princess, the Daughter 
of the Temple. 

Ardah. Asenath? Hath she already come? I would 
be alone with her, Nedra ; go thou, bid her come to me at 
once. 

Enter Asenath. 

Ardah. {Rising, and embracing her.) Oh, Asenath, I 
am so glad to see thee. How art thou here so soon? 

As. I had been with my father to the fortress and was 
just returning when the runner overtook us with thy mes- 
sage, and my father bade me come at once. Art thou 
well, my princess? 

Ardah. Say no more, "My princess," Asenath. We 
have been friends since childhood, and together grown to 
women. Thou hast always been to me sister, and so thou 
must continue. "Ardah" is enough. To thee I must be no 
more a princess. 

As. I thank thee, Ardah. 

Ardah. Sit thee, dear Asenath. I have a most impor- 
tant matter to talk with thee. It concerneth my brother, 
Prince Omrah. Knowest thou that thou art loved of him, 
my sister? 

28 



As, Thy brother hath been always kind to me. 

Ardah. Asenath, Prince Omrah loves thee. And his 
love for thee hath troubled him of late, because thou seem- 
est not to know the signs by which he would make thee 
aware of it. Thou seemest absent from thyself, and unre- 
sponsive. I have long known his love for thee, and have 
hoped that thou shouldst sometime be indeed my sister. 
Tell me, Asenath, dost thou not return the feeling my 
brother hath for thee? 

As. I cannot be too grateful for all the kind attention 
the prince hath shown to me. But if thou speakest of more 
than truest friendship, it cannot be that thy brother think- 
eth it of me ; or, if it could be, Ardah, I have it not to give. 

Ardah. Asenath, thou camest just now from the for- 
tress? 

As. Yes, Ardah. 

Ardah. My brother hath spoken of a Hebrew pris- 
oner there, charged by his master with a heinous crime, 
yet withal so perfect a dissembler that all the prison waits 
upon him. 

As. Thou meanest Joseph? 

Ardah. How well thou knowest his name, my sister. 
Nay, nay, look not so serious. I did but jest. My brother 
hath told me of thy visit to the fortress ; and because his 
passion for thee hath not met with such response as he 
could wish, imagines that this prisoner hath found favor 
in thine eyes. But when he mentioned it, I laughed him 
to scorn. As if my sister, the Daughter of the Temple, 
could so far forget her station, or be guilty of such in- 
discretion! 

As. Hast thou seen him? 

Ardah. This Joseph? 

As. Yes, Ardah. Hast thou seen him? 



29 



Ardah. No. I have no desire to cultivate the friend- 
ship of a criminal, and I fear if I should see him, I should 
fall in love with him — as everybody does, I hear. (Laugh- 
ing.) 

As. Joseph is not a criminal, Ardah. He hath been 
falsely charged. 

Ardah. So? Thou dost astonish me, my sister. Thou 
makest me almost believe thou hast fallen under the spell 
of this Canaanitish marvel. 

As. He of whom thou speakest is not a Canaanite. He 
is a Hebrew, of most excellent family, delivered by treach- 
ery into bondage, and again by treachery made a prisoner. 
He hath cast no spell upon me, save that of truth and 
goodness. 

Ardah. Thou forcest me to think thou carest for this 
Hebrew more than thou dost acknowledge even to thyself. 
Can it be my brother hath divined thy secret? Asenath, 
come to thyself. The course thou takest will disgrace thy 
father's house; and all the friends thou lovest will turn 
their backs upon thee. Cut short thy visits to the fortress 
and forget this prisoner. Be once more the laughing girl 
thou hast been, and let my brother see thou hast not lost 
both head and heart. 

As. I have called thee my sister, princess, because thou 
badest me ; and no heart should know better than thine 
own how well I love thee. But if thou makest me to feel 
that I must choose between my duty and my friends, then 
I must find my friendships among those to whom, by rea- 
son of their harder lot, my duty calls me. (Draws away.) 

Ardah. (Caressingly.) . Nay, nay, my sister. I have 
hurt thee. I was too quick to charge thee with folly. I 
will believe no more of it ; only listen to me, sister, and let 
not thy good be evil spoken of. This is to be an eventful 
day in the palace. My father hath been troubled with a 

30 



dream he cannot understand. He hath told it to the wise 
men of the kingdom, and to-day he holds court that they 
may unfold to him its meaning. Thou must stay and hear 
them. 

Enter Omrah during Ardah's speech. 

Omrah. Good-morning, my sister. I hope my presence 
here doth not intrude. Asenath, thy pardon. I hope thou 
comest well. (Takes her hand and kisses it.) 
As. Quite well, Prince Omrah. 

Ardah. (To Omrah.) Thou dost not intrude, my 
brother. Thou hast heard me tell Asenath that she must 
remain to grace our father's court. And now that thou 
hast come, I will leave her with thee for a little, for there 
are matters to which I should attend. Come thou to my 
apartment when thou wilt, my sister. 

Omrah. I shall gladly do my best to fill thy place, my 
sister. Fare thee well. {Leads her to exit and returns to 
Asenath.) Sit thou, Asenath. The opportunity hath come 
which I have long desired ; that I might find thee alone and 
tell thee all that is in my heart. We have together played 
in childhood, Asenath, and have grown up together, and 
have been the best of friends. It hath lately come to me 
that we are no longer children. I am Prince Omrah, and 
thou art Lady Asenath, the Daughter of the Temple. I 
have always loved thee, Asenath, and have always, through 
childhood and through youth, looked forward to the time, 
when, having come of age, I should be permitted to frankly 
tell thee of my passion and take thee for my wife. Thou 
must have known I loved thee, Asenath, for I have gone 
in and out with thee and never had an eye for other than 
thyself. Say to me, Asenath, that thou returnest my love, 
that thou wilt be my wife, and thou shalt make me happier 
than all my father's kingdom. 

31 



As. Prince Omrah, as thou sayest, we have ever been 
the truest friends, and thou doest me great honor that thou 
thinkest of me thus. I would be thy friend, and do all I 
could to make thee happy. But thou askest of me what I 
have not to give. 

Omrah. Thou sayest not, Asenath, that thou lovest an- 
other better? 

As. I only say to thee, my prince, I cannot be thy wife. 

Omrah. Thou sayest both in one. Tell me, Asenath, 
hast thou not become infatuated with the Hebrew prisoner 
at the fortress? 

As. I honor him. Prince Omrah, as a most noble 
man. 

Omrah. Thou doest more. As I have long suspected, 
since thou hast visited the fortress thou hast also fallen a 
prey to this artful Hebrew. Think what thou art doing, 
Asenath. The prince of Egypt layeth at thy feet the inher- 
itance to Pharaoh's kingdom — wealth, honor, everything 
that could bring thee happiness — and thou art throwing 
it all away to give thy confidence to an alien, a slave, who 
loveth not thy people, and serveth not thy gods, and whose 
crime hath brought him to the fortress where the enemies 
of thy father's people come. And though thou feignest to 
believe him innocent, I tell thee, Asenath, that but for his 
inimitable hypocrisy, his oily speech, and bold effrontery, 
he should long ago have paid the penalty of his crimes 
upon the gallows. O, say to me, Asenath, thou wilt break 
this spell this prisoner hath woven about thee, and, coming 
to thyself, come also to thine own. 

As. Thou doest Joseph wrong, Prince Omrah, though 
thou meanest it not. He hateth not our people, by whom 
he hath been most grievously wronged and robbed of his 
freedom; and though he serveth not thy father's gods, and 
thine, he hath a God whom he worshipeth with all his soul 

32 



and serveth with all his strength, and in whom he trusteth 
for his final vindication. 

Omrah. (Roughly.) Hath he a kingdom to lay at thy 
feet? 

As. He hath the promise of a kingdom. But knowest 
thou not, Prince Omrah, that kingdoms have not wealth 
fo buy, nor power to command that moving of a heart 
without which the marriage thou seekest would be a hol- 
low mockery? Pardon me, if I have hurt thee, Omrah. I 
only meant to be frank with thee. 

Omrah. (Pushing her azvay.) I want not thy pity, Ase- 
nath. I came to ask thy heart, and in return to offer thee 
a kingdom. Fool that I am, I have confessed to thee 
my passion, and thou hast mocked me with thy plea for 
an imprisoned villain. For the love thou bearest a Ca- 
naanitish slave, a felon, who by his mask of gentleness hath 
robbed the gallows of its due, thou hast spurned the offer 
of the Prince of Egypt. Go thou, if thou wilt, and make 
thy bed with crime ; but spare thy pity for thy ill-found 
lover. 

As. Fare thee well. Prince Omrah. 

(Trumpets.) 

Omrah. (Follozving and grasping her.) Stay, Asenath. 
thou shalt not leave me thus. Though the whole court as- 
semble, I will hold thee 'till thou promise to become my 
wife. O Asenath, my soul is burning with the passion that 
I have for thee, and it makes me as a hungry lion that 
hath lost his prey. Speak to me, Asenath, before thou go- 
est, and tell me thou wert not in earnest when thou saidst 
another had thy love. 

As. Let me go, Prince Omrah; and when thou comest 
to thy reason thou shalt find the Daughter of the Temple 
still to be thy friend. (Exit Asenath.) 

33 



Omrah. (Alone.) Thus is the son of Pharaoh mocked. 
And yet, Prince Omrah, thou deservest so to be. Instead 
of finding means to crush this serpent that creepeth about 
the walls of yonder fortress, thou hast permitted him to 
live until he hath stung thee in thy soul. But take thou 
heart. It is not yet too late. My Lady Asenath, the son 
of Pharaoh shall have thee yet. There standeth only one 
'twixt thee and me, and I will crush this Hebrew slave, 
though every prisoner in the fortress should die with him. 

(Trumpets, follozved by the entrance of a herald.) 

Herald. Prince Omrah, the court is ready to assemble, 
and thy father calleth for thee. 

Omrah. Tell him I come at once. Let the court as- 
semble. (Goes out.) 

(At this point may be introduced a company of dancing girls, 
with tambourines, wearing bracelets, anklets, ear-rings and 
jewels. The dance may be continued as long as desired. Then 
trumpets, and the court assembles. Enter trumpeters, followed 
by soldiers. The courtiers troop in, attention being paid to the 
grouping of costumes. The wise men enter and stand at the 
front. Then enter Ardah and Asenath, with maids of honor, 
Omrah and Potiphera. Then trumpets, soldiers of the Royal 
Guard, and the King enters, borne in a canopy chair and fol- 
lowed by slaves with large fans. The chief butler, bearing the 
King's cup, and soldiers, bring up the rear. As the King enters 
all cry, "The King," and fall upon one knee. The King ascends 
the throne, the butler takes his place on the left of the throne. 
As the King sits, he stretches out his sceptre and all stand.) 

Kingi. Wise men of Egypt, three days ago thou heard- 
est the dreams which seemed to Pharaoh the gods had 
given him to warn the King of impending danger, or save 
our beloved Egypt from impending ill. I charged thee 

34 



then to give thy best attention to these dreams, to seek unto 
our gods ; and if in any way thou couldst divine their 
meaning thou shouldst have wealth and honor. What is 
thine answer? 

Balzek. {Bowing low.) O King, Hve forever. We have 
meditated much upon thy dreams ; have entreated our gods 
for wisdom; employed all our charms and incantations, but 
no answer have we obtained. The man lives not who can 
deduce a meaning from such dreams. Trouble thyself no 
more, O King. They are but phantasies of a tired mind. 
Let the King have rest. 

King. Thy answer giveth me no peace. Can it be that 
of all the wise men of my realm, thou, who art held in 
greatest repute for wisdom, hast no help to give? What 
sayest thou, Monetho? 

Monetho. {Bowing lotv.) Balzek hath spoken all the 
truth, O King. No man that lives can make more of thy 
dreams. 

King". Speak thou Thothmes. Surely thou hast some 
better word for Pharaoh. Give thou the meaning, and 
thou shalt have wealth and honor commensurate with thy 
wisdom. 

Thothmes. Though thou shouldst ofifer him thy king- 
dom, Pharaoh, the man lives not who could make reason- 
able interpretation of thy dreams. They are but fancies. 
Let the King forget them, and let them trouble him no 
more. 

Butler. May I have a word with thee, O King? 

King. What wouldst thou say, Hophnes? Doth it con- 
cern the interpretation of my dreams? 

Butler. It doth, O King. 

King. Speak thou then, and speak quickly. 

Butler. I do remember my fault this day. Pharaoh was 
wroth with his servants, and vuf me in ward in the Captain 

35 



of the Guard's house ; both me and the chief baker. And 
we dreamed a dream in one night, I and he; and there was 
there with us a young man, an Hebrew, servant to the 
Captain of the Guard ; and we told him, and he interpreted 
our dreams ; to each man according to his dream did he 
interpret. And it came to pass, as he interpreted to us so 
it was ; me he restored into mine office, and him he hanged. 
If he were here, I know he would tell the King also what 
his dreams foretoken. 

King. Captain of the Guard, hast thou such a man in 
the fortress? 

Captain. He speaketh of Joseph, the Hebrew — a serv- 
ant of Jehovah. 

King. Let him be brought to me without delay. 

Captain. Officer of the Guard, go thou to the fortress. 
See that all is well, and say to Joseph that the King calls 
for him immediately. 

{Exit officer with guard.) 

Balzek. Thou sendest but in vain, O King. If all the 
magicians and wise men of thy kingdom cannot make thee 
satisfactory answer, thou hast nought to hope from one 
who hath not been instructed in the practice of our arts. 
Say est thou not so, Monetho? 

Monetho. Thou sayest well. 

Balzek. And thou, Thothmes? 

Thothmes. Thou hast wisely counselled. 

Omrah. (Stepping forward.) I pray thee, listen to thy 
wise men, O King, my father. I know this Joseph. He is 
a Canaanitish slave ; a common criminal, who hath just 
enough wit to save him from the gallows. He serveth not 
thy gods, and keepeth not the customs of thy people. 

King. (To Hophnes.) Saidst thou not, Hophnes, that 
this Joseph telleth dreams? 

36 



Hoph. Thou heardst aright, O King. 

King. The King hath dreamed, and his dream hath 
troubled him ; he hath called the wise men and magicians, 
and asked them what it meaneth, and they only answer, 
"No man can tell thee." I will hear this Joseph, of whom 
my butler saith he maketh better answer. 

Enter officer of the guard with Joseph. 

Officer of the Guard. Thy order hath been obeyed, King. 
Joseph, the Hebrew. 

King. Joseph, I have dreamed a dream, and there is 
none that can interpret it ; and I have heard say of thee 
that when thou hearest a dream thou canst interpret it. 

Joseph. It is not in me, O King; God shall give 
Pharaoh an answer of peace. 

King. Hear thou, then. In my dream, behold, I stood 
upon the bank of the river. And, behold, there came up 
out of the river seven kine, fat-fleshed and well-favored ; 
and they fed in a meadow; and, behold, seven other kine 
came up after them, poor and very ill-favored and lean- 
fleshed, such as I never saw in the land of Egypt for bad- 
ness, and the lean and ill-favored kine did eat up the first 
seven fat kine ; and when they had eaten them up, it could 
not be known that they had eaten them ; but they were still 
ill-favored as at the beginning. So I awoke. I slept and 
dreamed again, and, behold, seven ears came up in one 
stalk, full and good; and, behold, seven ears, thin, withered, 
and blasted with the east wind, sprung up after them ; and 
the thin ears devoured the seven good ears ; and I told this 
to the magicians and there was none that could declare it 
to me. 

Jos. The dream of Pharaoh is one : and God hath 
showed Pharaoh what he is about to do. The seven good 

37 



kine are seven years ; and the seven good ears are seven 
years ; the dream is one. The seven thin and ill-favored 
kine that came up after them are seven years ; and the 
seven empty ears, blasted with the east wind, shall be 
seven years of famine. What God is about to do he show- 
eth unto Pharaoh. 

Behold there come seven years of great plenty through- 
out all the land of Egypt; and there shall arise after them 
seven years of famine ; and all the plenty shall be forgotten 
in the land of Egypt, and the famine shall consume the 
land. And the plenty shall not be known in the land by 
reason of the famine, for it shall be very grievous. And for 
that the dream was doubled unto Pharaoh twice; it is be- 
cause the thing is settled, and God will shortly bring it to 
pass. 

King. Servant of Jehovah, thou hast spoken well. The 
mind of Pharaoh is once more at ease. And since thou 
hast had the wisdom to make known the import of my 
dream, I ask thee one more question. How counselest 
thou the King concerning the matter which thy God hath 
showed him? 

Jos. Let Pharaoh look out a man, discreet and wise, to 
set over all the land of Egypt; and let him appoint officers 
over all the land, to gather in the seven years of plenty a 
fifth part of all their produce, and lay up corn under the 
hand of Pharaoh, against the seven years of famine which 
shall be in all the land of Egypt, that the land perish not. 
Thus shall the King preserve his land, and his people shall 
bless him. 

King. The thing is good. Men of Egypt, whom think 
ye most fit to be appointed for this business? 

All. Joseph. 

King. It is well. Joseph, (rising, and descending toward 
Joseph from the throne), for as much as God hath shewed 

38 



thee all this, there is none in all the kingdom so discreet 
as thou. Wilt thou take this work upon thee? 

Jos. As the Lord shall help me, O King, I will gladly 
serve thee and thy people. 

King. 'Tis done. Thou shalt be over all mine house, and 
according to thy word shall all my people be ruled. Only 
in the throne will I be greater than thou. (Taking off his 
ring, and putting it an Joseph's hand.) See. I give thee my 
signet ring, and this shall witness thine authority. I am 
Pharaoh, and without thee shall no man lift up his hand 
or foot in all the land of Egypt. Captain of the Guard, take 
thou Joseph, and properly array him. (Taking his gold 
chain from his neck, and handing it to the captain.) Put this 
chain of gold about his neck, and make him ride in the 
second chariot, and cause every man to bow the knee be- 
fore him, even as he doth before the King. Men of Egypt, 
salute your Lord Chancellor! 

(All cry, "Long live the Chancellor of Egypt! " and fall 
upon one knee. Curtain falls as Joseph ^of.y out with Captain 
of the Guard.) 



ACT IIL 



Scene First. A garden path outside the city, near the Nile. 
The river, pyramids and Sphinx in the distance. Joseph 
and the chief steward discovered as just having met. 

Steward. (Saluting.) It hath been done as thou didst 
command, my lord. 

Joseph. Didst thou cause every man's money to be put 
in the mouth of his sack? 

Steward. It was so done, my lord. 

39 



Joseph. And my silver cup in the sack's mouth of the 
youngest? 

Steward. Yes, my lord. 

Joseph. It is well. How long since they departed? 

Steward. They went as soon as it was light, my lord, 
and a happy company they were, I do assure thee. 

Joseph. Then by this time they must be well on their 
journey. 

Steward. The animals they had were small, and they 
were heavily laden; they would not travel rapidly, but by 
this, the third hour, must be as far as Goshen. 

Joseph. Cadmus, take thou a band of men from the for- 
tress, well mounted, and haste thou after these men from 
Canaan. When they are overtaken, cause their baggage 
to be searched, from the eldest to the youngest, in the name 
of the King. When thou findest my cup in the sack of the 
youngest brother, say thou to them, Wherefore have ye re- 
warded evil for good? Is not this the cup in which my lord 
drinketh, and whereby, indeed, he divineth? Make as 
though thou didst believe they had stolen both the money 
and the cup, and bring them back to my apartments. I go 
to meet the Priest of On at yonder pyramid, and thou may- 
est return before me. If so, await thou there with these 
men of Canaan until I return. 

Steward. Thy word shall be obeyed, my lord. 

(Steward salutes and retires. Joseph, turning in the op- 
posite direction, meets the princess, Ardah, unattended. Stops 
in surprise.) 

Joseph. Ardah! I wish thee good-morning, my prin- 
cess. Thou earnest so quietly I knew not of thy presence in 
the garden. (Kisses her hand.) What unusual event hath 
come to pass that I have the pleasure of meeting thee thus, 
so early in the morning, and unattended? 

40 



Ardah. I knew of thy coming hither, and came that I 
might speak with thee alone. And now that I have found 
thee so, I will not delay a moment to make known my er- 
rand, even though thou think me rash. The truth is, I love 
thee, Joseph. Ever since I saw thee stand before my 
father, in all the pride of thy wisdom and strength, I have 
had but one desire, that thou shouldst know my love for 
thee, and that thou shouldst return it. 

Joseph. Thou art most kind, my princess, to have such 
thoughts of me ; and even now thou flatterest me with thy 
confidence. But I fear thou hast let thy fancy have its way 
too much for thy better judgment. 

Ardah. I know what I am saying, Joseph. I am no 
child, that I should not discern the nature of this feeling 
that I have for thee. Tell me, Joseph, hath Pharaoh's 
daughter not found favor in thine eyes? 

Joseph. Thou art a gracious princess, and all of Pha- 
raoh's household are held most dear to me, whom thy 
father hath so much honored. But I fear I cannot be to 
thee such as thy words imply. 

Ardah. Listen, Joseph. Thou art King of Egypt in 
everything but name. The people love thee, and gladly 
yield to thine authority. I am Pharaoh's daughter. If 
thou canst return the love I have for thee, and take me for 
thy wife, no power on earth can keep from thee my father's 
kingdom. Thou shalt sit on the throne of the Pharaoh's, 
and none shall dispute thy title ; and if it please the gods to 
give thee sons, they shall reign after thee. O, come, 
Joseph. Seest thou not that in my heart I have sacrificed 
all my father's house for thee? 

Jos. Ardah, thou knowest not what thou sayest. I am 
not of thy people, and serve not thy gods. Thy father hath 
been gracious to me, and I have gladly served him. But I 
have not coveted his kingdom ; and such treachery as thou 

41 



proposest is most distasteful to me. I must tell thee truly, 
my princess, were thy father's kingdom thine to give me, 
and I must take it under pretense that I love thee as he 
ought to love thee who would share thy fortune, I could 
not take it. Fare thee well. 

{Goes out, Ardah looking after him with mingled feelings of 
anger and desire. Curtain.) 

Scene Second. King's chamber in the Great Pyramid. En- 
trance a low, narrow opening one has to stoop to enter. Near 
one side an altar with a flame burning upon it. Near the 
other side a stone seat. Three burning tapers give some- 
what dim light. Prince Omrah secreted behind a projecting 
stone. Enter Joseph.) 

Joseph. The good priest, Potiphera, is late this morn- 
ing. Some matter hath doubtless detained him. The flame 
is on the altar and only waits his incense. What a pity 
that so faithful and good a man should follow such super- 
stitions. However, my errand hath not to do with heathen 
gods or souls of departed kings. I seek for his good offices 
with the living, and his incense as the promise of a 
woman's love. I will await him. 

Omrah. {Stepping out of concealment.) Joseph. 

Joseph. {Turning quickly.) Prince Omrah ! Thou didst 
startle me. I did not look to meet thee in this place. I 
wait the priest of On. Hast thou seen him this morning? 

Omrah. Yes. There hath been trouble at the fortress 
which needed his attention. He will be here directly. 
Joseph, I knew of his coming here, and of thy appoint- 
ment. I have preceded him, because I have a matter of 
which I would speak with thee. 

Jos. Say on. Prince Omrah. I hope it is a matter in 
which I may serve thee. 

42 



Omrah. I will be direct. It concerneth the Daughter of 
the Temple. She and myself have grown up together from 
childhood, and as I grew to be a man, I have always in- 
tended, by her leave, to make her my wife. She always 
seemed pleased with my attentions, and I believe, returned 
the love I bore her, until the day I left her alone with thee 
in the fortress. From that very hour she hath been dif- 
ferent toward me. 

Jos. And thou thinkest I am the cause of this? 

Omrah. Thou hast said it. Though doubtless thou hast 
not intended it, thou hast come between her and myself. 
She should know that thou who dififerest from her in line- 
age and religion could never gain consent of Pharaoh or 
the Priest of On, even should thou desire to entertain her 
love. 

Jos. Hast thou spoken of this to Asenath? 

Omrah. I have. 

Jos. And what answer doth she make? 

Omrah. She doth not confess her love for thee ; she only 
holds aloof, and leaves me to suspect the cause. 

Jos. What wouldst thou have me do, Prince Omrah? 

Omrah. If thou wouldst tell her plainly there can never 
be ought but friendship between her and thee, and break 
this secret fascination, thou shouldst at once undo the mis- 
chief. 

Jos. I will do better. I will tell her frankly what thou 
hast told me, and will set before her what she loseth in 
letting go thy love. 

Omrah. And wilt thou make her understand thou hast 
no hope or expectation of her. 

Jos. That I cannot promise thee. It is but honest, when 
great matters are brought forward for decision, that the 
judge should know the truth. The truth is. Prince Omrah, 
If I knew that Asenath loved me as thou feelest sure that 

43 



but for me she would love thyself, I would sue for her at 
the throne of Pharaoh and before the altar of the Priest of 
On. Let all be fairly told her. Let herself decide between 
us, and if she be thine, there is not a subject of thy father's 
that shall congratulate thee more heartily. 

Omrah. The truth is told, and my suspicions are con- 
firmed. Since thou camest into Egypt thou hast been my 
evil genius. It is not enough that thou hast taken my 
place upon the throne and stolen the hearts of all my 
father's people, but thou must take the only thing which I 
had yet hoped to call my own. Before thou camest from 
the prison I suspected this strange fascination, and I vowed 
it should be broken though every prisoner in Egypt ex- 
changed his dungeon for the gallows. Now I know mine 
enemy and have him in my power, and he shall not es- 
cape. 

{Draws dagger and rushes upon Joseph, zvho seizes his right 
arm, struggles with him, wrenches azvay his dagger, throws it 
upon the floor, and forces him back against the ivall of the 
chamber, holding him by the throat.) 

Joseph. Feelest thou my grasp, Prince Omrah? Thy 
very life is in my keeping. Abandon thy purpose before 
thou forcest me to do greater violence to my benefactor's 
son. Say that thou repentest of thy purpose. Speak and 
thou art free. 

Omrah. {Limp and choking.) Have mercy, Joseph. 

Joseph. Thou needst not ask for mercy. I feel no 
anger, but even a worm will turn upon thee when thou 
dost attempt its life. Here {picking up the dagger and 
handing it to him), take thy steel ; I fear thee not. Call back 
thy reason to its throne, and seek not to thwart the will of 
heaven by human violence. 

44 



Omrah. (Putting up his dagger, and his hand to his fore- 
head, looking dazed and humbled.) Prince of Egypt, thou 
hast been once more a fool ; and I suppose all Egypt must 
know thou hast assaulted its beloved Chancellor. 

Joseph. Prince Omrah, we are alone. If thou wilt go 
thy way and play the man, and treat me fairly, this act of 
thine shall never come to thy father's ears, and not a soul 
in Egypt shall know thy secret. But if thou play the fool, 
and seek by any act of treachery to gain what is not thine 
by fair and open right, thy name shall be a hissing and a 
by-word in every mouth in Egypt, from the court of Pha- 
raoh to the beggar in his hovel and the prisoner in his dun- 
geon. Fare thee well. {Extending his hand, tvhich Omrah 
takes, looks him in the eyes an instant, and goes out. Joseph 
discovers blood upon his hand, traces it up his arm, and finds 
tlvat he has been cut above the elbow. Binds a handkerchief 
about it, and is seated upon the bench. Enter Asenath. Joseph 
rises as she enters.) 

Asenath. (Starting back in surprise.) Joseph ! 

Joseph. (Advancing.) Peace be with thee, Asenath. 

As. And with thee, Joseph ; though I little thought to 
meet thee here. I came to speak with my father ; he should 
be here at this hour. Hast thou seen him? 

Jos. Thine errand is like my own. Thy father hath not 
been here, I have seen Prince Omrah, and he hath told 
me thy father hath been delayed, but will be here presently. 
Sit thou, Asenath, until he come. 

As. Joseph, thou art pale. What aileth thee? 

Jos. A little accident hath left me with a wound upon 
my arm. It is of no account. 

As. Hast thou had attention, Joseph? 

Jos. I have had no opportunity. I received it since I 
left the city. 

45 ■ 



As. Sit thou, Joseph, and show it me. I am just come 
from my visit to the poor, where some had wounds which 
I have bound. I have bandage left, and a flask of oil and 
wine. Let me bind thy wound for thee. How didst thou 
receive it? 

(Joseph, without reply, sits and uncovers arm.) 

As. Oh, Joseph, it is a cruel gash, and hath been made 
by steel. Carest thou not to tell me by what means thou 
camest by it? 

Jos. I cannot tell thee now, my lady Asenath, Didst 
thou meet Prince Omrah as thou camest hither? 

As. I saw him at a distance, but he said nought to me 
except to recognize my presence. Hath he been here with 
thee? 

(Joseph hesitates, and Asenath, looking into his eyes, dis- 
covers his secret.) 

Asenath. (Continuing.) Joseph, thou hidest something" 
from me. Thou art wounded; thou tellest not the cause; 
thou inquirest about Prince Omrah. Wouldst hide it 
longer if I should guess thy secret? 

Jos. Asenath, knowest thou not that Omrah loves thee 
to distraction? 

Asenath. I think he so believeth. 

Joseph. And thou knowest he is heir to the throne of 
Egypt, and can give to thee a kingdomi? 

Asenath. Yes, Joseph, I know it all. 

Joseph. Thou surely canst not say thou wouldst refuse 
his offer? 

Asenath. Why dost thou ask me, Joseph? Why 
shouldst thou inquire into my secret when thou hidest 
from me thine own? 

46 I 



Joseph. Because I love thee, Asenath. I have not 
known thee from childhood; and I have no right to press 
my claim upon thy heart against the Prince of Egypt. But 
I can love thee, Asenath; for love doth ask no leave of 
princes or of kings. When some magic touch first calls it 
into being, it builds its altar and erects its shrine. And if, 
by the stern hand of fate, the answering fire be not per- 
mitted to consume its sacrifice, it lights its taper, burns its 
incense, and keeps its vigil, till the skies brighten and its 
answer come. So have I waited for thee, Asenath. Since 
the day I heard thee take upon thyself the vow to serve the 
God of Israel I have known there was no other in all the 
world whose love could fill my life or bring me happiness. 
(After a slight pause.) O Asenath, hast thou no answer 
for me? 

Asenath. Joseph, it was not indecision made me hesi- 
tate, but lack of words to tell thee all that is in my heart. 
For since the day of which thou speakest thou hast been 
my prophet, priest and king. My heart was with thee in 
the prison, and I ceased not day or night to pray and plan 
for thy release. And since Jehovah hath granted thee de- 
liverance, I have had no joy but to see thee loved and hon- 
ored, and no hope but for thy advantage. Thy words 
have been to me as waters in the desert, and to know that 
thou wast near me hath kept my soul alive. O Joseph, the 
wealth and honor of a kingdom would be to me but beg- 
gar's rags without thee ; and with thee I could share a 
hovel or a dungeon and be proud to know I shared thy 
fortune and thy love. 

Joseph. (Embracing her.) O Asenath, thou gift of 
heaven 1 My cup is full. 

(Curtain. Asenath with arms around Joseph's neck, her 
face buried in Joseph's bosom.) 

47 



Scene Third. Room in Joseph's apartments in the palace. 
Joseph and the chief steward. 

Joseph. Well, Cadmus, thou hast returned. Hadst thou 
success in thy pursuit? 

Cadmus. Thou sayest we had good success, my lord. 
The men of Canaan are without, securely guarded. 

Joseph. Let them be brought hither. 

Steward. (Goes to the door and commands.) Officer of the 
Guard, the Chancellor will have the men of Canaan 
brought before him. 

{OMcer of the guard with four soldiers precede the eleven 
brothers, and four soldiers bring up the rear. Halt. Face 
to the left. Front. Soldiers present arms, carry, fall back, 
close up in rear of prisoners, order arms.) 

Steward. My lord, the men of Canaan. We pursued 
after them according to thy order. We had scarcely gone 
an hour beyond Goshen when we overtook them. We 
charged them with having taken thy cup, but they stoutly 
denied it, and vowed that if the cup should be found upon 
any of them, he upon whom it was found should be put to 
death, and that all the rest should become thy bondsmen. 
I caused strict search to be made through their baggage, 
found the mouth of every sack filled with money, and in 
the sack of the youngest here, besides the money, this cup. 
Know, therefore, whether it be thine or no. {Handing 
Joseph the cup.) 

Joseph. (Examining it.) Certainly it is mine ; a present 
from the King. There is not another like it in, all the land 
of Egypt. 

(The brethren all fall down with their faces to the ground.) 

Joseph. What deed is this that ye have done? Knew ye 

48 



not that such a man as I am could certainly divine your 
secret? 

Judah. (Rising upon one knee.) What shall we say unto 
my lord? or how shall we clear ourselves? God hath found 
out the iniquity of thy servants, behold, we are my lord's 
servants, both we, and he with whom the cup is found. 

Joseph. God forbid that I should require so much, even 
though ye have been guilty of so great a crime. The man 
in whose hand the cup was found, he shall be my servant. 
As for the rest of you, get ye up in peace to your father. 
Cadmus, dismiss these ten and let them go their way. Put 
thou the youngest into custody until I send for him. 

Judah. (Rising to his feet and stepping forward.) Oh, 
my lord, let thy servant speak a word, I pray thee, in my 
lord's ears ; and let not thine anger burn against thy serv- 
ant ; for thou art even as Pharaoh. 

My lord asked his servants on their former visit. Have 
ye a father, or a brother? And we said to my lord, we 
have a father, an old man, and a brother, the child of his 
old age. His brother is dead, and he alone is left of his 
mother, and his father loveth him. 

And thou saidst to thy servants, Bring him down to me, 
that I may set mine eyes upon him. And we said unto my 
lord, The lad cannot leave his father ; for if he should leave 
his father, his father would die. And thou saidst to thy 
servants. Except your youngest brother come down with 
you, ye shall see my face no more. And when we came 
home to thy servant, our father, we told him the words of 
my lord. 

And when the corn thou gavest us was consumed, our 
father said to us. Go again and buy us a little food. And 
we said. If our youngest brother be with us, then will we 
go down to Egypt ; for we may not see the man's face of 



49 



whom we obtain the corn except our youngest brother be 
with us. 

And thy servant, my father, said to us, Ye know that my 
wife bare me two sons: the one went out from me and an 
evil beast tore him to pieces. And if we take this one also 
from me, and mischief befall him, ye shall bring down my 
gray hairs in sorrow to the grave. 

Then thy servant became a surety for the lad unto my 
father, saying, if I bring him not unto thee, then I shall 
bear the blame forever. 

Now, therefore, I pray thee, let thy servant abide instead 
of the lad, a bondman to my lord; and let the lad go up 
with his brethren. For how shall I go up to my father, and 
the lad be not with me, and I bring down the gray hairs of 
my father with sorow to the grave? 

Joseph. {With emotion.) Cadmus, I would be alone with 
these men. Officer of the Guard, {officer salutes), accept 
my thanks for thy service. Take thee seventy days to thy- 
self, thou and thy men with thee, and my steward shall 
double thy wages whilst thou art gone. Warn the guard 
without that none must enter here or cause disturbance 
till I give them word. 

{Soldiers present and carry arms, face, and march out, fol- 
lowed by the steward.) 

Joseph. Sons of Jacob, arise and stand upon your feet. 

{All rise. Joseph continues.) 

Ye have heard the words your brother Judah has spoken 
in your behalf. I have also somewhat to say to you. There 
dwelt at Hebron, in the land of Canaan, a man who had 
twelve sons. The two youngest were the sons of one 
mother, and she was dead. 

50 



To the elder of these two the father showed special 
favor, and gave him a coat as a mark of distinction among 
his brethren ; and because of this his older brethren hated 
him. The Lord gave to this younger son a dream, and he 
told it to his brethren. He dreamed that they all bound 
sheaves in the field, and the sheaves of his brethren made 
obeisance to his sheaf. And he dreamed again, and, be- 
hold, the sun, moon, and eleven stars made obeisance to 
him. He told these dreams to his brethren, and they hated 
him yet the more. 

And as they tended their father's flocks at Dothan, their 
brother came to them with messages from their father. 
And when they saw him, they said among themselves, Be- 
hold, this dreamer cometh. Let us kill him, and we will 
see what will become of his dreams. And they caught him, 
and stripped his coat from oflf him, and threw him into a 
pit. And his coat they dipped into the blood of a beast, 
and sent it to his father, saying, We have found it. Know 
thou whether it be thy son's coat or no? 

And while they were breaking bread together, they lifted 
up their eyes, and, behold, a company of Midianites, mer- 
chantmen, bearing precious spices, going down to Egypt. 
And they lifted their brother from the pit and sold him to 
the merchantmen ; and they brought him down to Egypt, 
and sold him into bondage. But the Lord was with him 
and raised him up to sit beside the King. 

(Brethren all shrink back and whisper, "Joseph.") 

Yes, I am Joseph. Draw near I pray thee unto me. 
(They gather round him, Benjamin nearest, to the front.) I 
am Joseph, whom ye sold into Egypt. And thou art 
Judah; (putting his hands on Judah's shoulders and kissing 
his check). And thou art Reuben, who didst plead for my 

51 



life among thy brethren ; (kissing him also) ; and thou art 
Simeon (kissing him in the same manner, then stepping back- 
zvard and speaking zvith emotion, but ivithout kissing them) 
and Gad and Asher and Issachar and Zebulun — Oh, I 
know ye all. And thou art Benjamin, my best beloved. 
(Embracing and kissing him, and zveeping on his neck, ivhile 
all show emotion. Joseph, collecting himself, continues.) 
And now, my brethren, be not grieved nor angry with 
yourselves because ye sold me hither ; for the God of our 
fathers did send me before your face to keep your souls 
alive. Two years already hath the famine been in the 
land; and there are yet five years in which there shall 
neither be earing nor harvest. You shall now sit down 
at my table and refresh yourselves ; and then hasten ye, 
and go up to my father, tell him how the Lord hath deaH 
with me, and say to him for me, Come down to me, and 
tarry not. And thou shalt dwell in the land of Goshen, 
and be near unto me ; thou, and thy children, and thy 
children's children, and thy flocks and thy herds and all 
that thou hast. There will I nourish thee through the five 
years of famine, lest thou and thy household and all that 
thou hast come to poverty. (Raising his right hand toivard 
heaven, still embracing Benjamin zvith the left, zvhile all the 
brothers bozv their heads.) O God of Israel, who only doest 
wondrous things, thou hast done great things for us 
whereof we are glad. Accept the gratitude of thy servants 
for all the goodness thou hast shown to us and to our 
fathers. Hear thou in heaven thy dwelling place, and 
pardon all our offences. Grant to these thy servants that 
they may be prospered on their journey; and do thou 
bring them again, with thy servant Jacob, our father, to 
this place in peace. 
All. Amen. 

(Curtain) 
52 



ACT IV. 

Scene. Throne room in Pharaoh's palace. The court as- 
sembled, including Joseph's brethren, Leah, and Zareda, who 
stands beside Benjamin, well to front. As the curtain rises 
shouts are heard zvithoiit, "The Chancellor. Long live the 
Chancellor of Egypt. Long live the servant of Jehovah." 
The court is all looking tozvard the entrance. {Trumpet. Enter 
Herald.) 

Herald. Our Lord Chancellor, friend of the King; and 
his father, Jacob. 

Enter Joseph, properly guarded, zvith his father leaning on 
his arm, staff in Iwnd. King rises, and the court cry out 
"Long live the Chancellor! Long live the servant of Jehovah!" 

Joseph. Men of Egypt and household of Pharaoh, I 
thank thee for this cordial greeting. Thy servant, O 
King. {Bowing to the King.) By thy kind request, my 
father, Jacob, standeth now before thee. And that thou 
mayest know thou hast before thee no common personage, 
nor one who needs the poor show of human authority to 
commend him to thy favor, let me call him by his other 
name, Israel, a Prince of God ; this title he hath received, 
not from eartliiy potentate, but from the king of heaven, 
Jehovah, by whose power thou rulest Egypt, and by whose 
favor thy people have been kept alive. {Jacob boivs low.) 

Pharaoh. Israel, I bid thee welcome to my cotirt and 
kingdom. The God whose name thou bearest hath greatly 
favored thee in years and dignity ; and doubly blessed thee 
in thy son. How old art thou? 

Jacob. The days of the years of my pilgrimage are a 
hundred and thirty years. Few and full of trouble have 

53 



the days of my life been; and have not attained unto the 
days of the life of my fathers in the days of their pilgrim- 
age. 

Pharaoh. Here let thy troubles end. Find thou thy rest 
among my people, and let thy last days be peace. If in 
anything thou lackest all Egypt shall be searched until thy 
comfort be obtained. 

Jacob. (With hands uplifted.) The Lord command his 
blessing upon thee, Pharaoh, and on thy kingdom. Give 
prosperity to thy people, and establish thy throne forever. 
Amen. 

(Joseph conducts his father to a place beside Leah, whose 
hand Joseph kisses and turns about.) 

Pharaoh. Joseph. 

Joseph. (Advancing.) Here, am I, O King. 

Pharaoh. These nine years hast thou freely served me 
and my people, and not a soul in Egypt has gone out or 
come in without thee. Though thou hast made provision 
for thy father and thy family, thou hast never yet made 
one request of Pharaoh for thyself. Ask me now, I pray 
thee, and, on the honor of a king, thou canst not ask 
more than shall be fairly thine, if Pharaoh hath the power 
to grant it. 

Joseph. There is but one thing in all thy kingdom I 
would ask of thee, O King ; to give it will not impoverish 
thee, nor withholding it enrich thee. If thou grant it, 
though all else were taken from me, I should still be rich. 
But if thou refuse it, though thou gavest me thy king- 
dom, I should be poor indeed. 

Pharaoh. I pray thee name it, Joseph. 

Joseph. The hand of Asenath, the Daughter of the 
Temple. 

54 



Court. Bravo. The Daughter of the Temple. His re- 
quest, O King. 

Pharaoh. Potiphera, hearest thou the Chancellor's re- 
quest? How sayest thou of thy daughter? 

Potiphera. The Chancellor hath gone before thee, O 
King, and hath obtained full privilege, subject only to thy 
will. 

Pharaoh. Daughter of the Temple, I pray thee come 
hither, and present thyself before the king. 

(Asenath comes forward and kneels at the foot of the 
throne.) 

Pharaoh. I am Pharaoh. Silver and gold is mine to 
give, and all manner of beast and bird and creeping thing. 
Place and honors wait on my appointment; but the going 
forth of a woman's heart is beyond the power of Kings to 
order. Love goeth where 'tis drawn, not where 'tis or- 
dered. A power beyond all human let or hindrance 
fashioneth the soul to join its like and knows its counter- 
part; and what the gods have joined together, no man 
can put asunder. Rise, Daughter of the Temple. (Ase- 
nath stands.) Thou hearest the Chancellor's request, and 
the King's confession. His answer waits on thee. Speak 
thy free mind, and on my honor as thy king, thy wish 
shall be respected. 

Asenath. Before thou knewest Joseph, or madest him 
thy Chancellor, O King, 'twas he who taught me how to 
live and whom to worship. And through all these years 
I have lived for no one else than him, nor worshiped any 
other God than Him he serveth. Were Joseph again the 
humblest servant at the fortress, and not the Chancellor 
of Egypt, I should be proud to own his love and share 
his fortune. Since thou dost bid me speak, O King, the 
hand of Asenath is freely thine to give him. 

55 



(The Court applauds. The King conies down from the 
throne, takes the hand of Asenath, leads her to Joseph, and 
puts her hand in his.) 

Pharaoh. Joseph, thou hast thy wish. The Daughter 
of the Temple giveth thee her heart, and Pharaoh giveth 
thee her hand, and with it the blessing of a grateful sover- 
eign and a grateful nation. And since thou hast not 
asked him to increase thy bounty, thou hast left the King 
this privilege as a voluntary gift. Thy house shall be the 
best but one in all my kingdom, and my steward shall pro- 
vide the maintenance of thy household. May thy days 
together be as when the summer smiles along the Nile, 
and thy seed be as the fruit of Egypt in her plenteous 
years. Israel, canst thou not command the blessing of 
thy God upon this union? 

(Jacob advances, lifts his hand in blessing, and Joseph and 
Asenath kneel.) 

Jacob. Tlie Lord bless thee and keep thee; the Lord 
make his face to shine upon thee and be gracious unto 
thee; the Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and 
give thee peace. 

(Curtain.) 




V 



JUN. 29 1905 



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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



017 1994676 • 



